2021 NCAA Division I softball season College softball in the United States
2021 NCAA Division I softball season Duration February 11 – June 10, 2021 Number of teams 286 Preseason No. 1 UCLA Defending Champions UCLA TV partner/s ESPN & ESPN+ Duration May 21 – June 10, 2021 Most conference bids SEC (12)Duration June 3–10, 2021 Champions Oklahoma (5th title)Runners-up Florida State (11th WCWS Appearance) Winning Coach Patty Gasso (5th title)WCWS MOP Giselle Juarez (Oklahoma)
The 2021 NCAA Division I Softball season, play of college softball in the United States organized by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) at the Division I level, began in February 2021. The season progressed through the regular season, many conference tournaments and championship series, and concluded with the 2021 NCAA Division I softball tournament and 2021 Women's College World Series . The Women's College World Series, consisted of the eight remaining teams in the NCAA Tournament was held in Oklahoma City at USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium , and ended on June 10, 2021.
Realignment
For 2021 season
Future moves
The following conference moves for the 2022 season were announced:
Season outlook
Conference standings
2021 American Athletic Conference softball standings
Conf
Overall
Team
W
L
T
PCT
W
L
T
PCT
No. 23 Wichita State † ‡ y
18
–
5
–
1
.771
41
–
13
–
1
.755
South Florida y
16
–
7
–
0
.696
31
–
19
–
0
.620
UCF y
16
–
7
–
1
.688
41
–
19
–
1
.680
Tulsa
15
–
8
–
0
.652
25
–
16
–
0
.610
Houston
8
–
16
–
0
.333
17
–
33
–
0
.340
East Carolina
7
–
17
–
0
.292
16
–
33
–
0
.327
Memphis
2
–
22
–
0
.083
9
–
41
–
0
.180
† – Conference champion ‡ – Tournament champion y – Invited to the NCAA tournament As of May 23, 2021[ 16] Rankings from NFCA/USA Today
2021 Atlantic Coast Conference softball standings
Conf
Overall
Team
W
L
T
PCT
W
L
T
PCT
No. 18 Clemson † y
29
–
5
–
0
.853
44
–
8
–
0
.846
No. 2 Florida State y
26
–
5
–
1
.828
49
–
12
–
1
.798
No. 20 Duke ‡ y
26
–
10
–
0
.722
44
–
12
–
0
.786
No. 14 Virginia Tech y
23
–
11
–
0
.676
37
–
15
–
0
.712
Notre Dame y
20
–
10
–
0
.667
33
–
15
–
0
.688
Louisville
15
–
21
–
1
.419
21
–
28
–
1
.430
NC State
15
–
22
–
0
.405
26
–
25
–
0
.510
Syracuse
12
–
20
–
0
.375
20
–
24
–
0
.455
Georgia Tech
11
–
19
–
0
.367
20
–
26
–
0
.435
North Carolina
10
–
19
–
0
.345
14
–
26
–
0
.350
Pittsburgh
12
–
24
–
0
.333
17
–
29
–
0
.370
Virginia
10
–
27
–
0
.270
15
–
33
–
0
.313
Boston College
8
–
24
–
0
.250
13
–
32
–
0
.289
† – Conference champion ‡ – Tournament champion y – Invited to the NCAA tournament As of June 15, 2021[ 17] Rankings from NFCA/USA Today
2021 Pac-12 Conference softball standings
Conf
Overall
Team
W
L
PCT
W
L
PCT
No. 2 UCLA † y
19
–
2
.905
48
–
8
.857
No. 6 Washington y
18
–
5
.783
45
–
14
.763
No. 10 Oregon y
14
–
10
.583
40
–
17
.702
No. 12 Arizona State y
12
–
9
.571
33
–
16
.673
No. 9 Arizona y
12
–
10
.545
41
–
15
.732
Stanford y
9
–
12
.429
33
–
22
.600
Oregon State
7
–
17
.292
20
–
26
.435
California
3
–
11
.214
17
–
20
.459
Utah
3
–
21
.125
22
–
33
.400
† – Conference champion y – Invited to the NCAA tournament As of June 9, 2021[ 23] Rankings from NFCA
2021 Southeastern Conference softball standings
Conf
Overall
Team
W
L
PCT
W
L
PCT
No. 9 Florida † y
19
–
5
.792
45
–
11
.804
No. 11 Arkansas † y
19
–
5
.792
43
–
11
.796
No. 3 Alabama ‡ y
18
–
6
.750
52
–
9
.852
No. 13 Missouri y
15
–
9
.625
42
–
17
.712
No. 16 Kentucky y
13
–
11
.542
43
–
16
.729
No. 15 LSU y
13
–
11
.542
35
–
22
.614
No. 22 Tennessee y
12
–
11
.522
42
–
15
.737
Ole Miss y
12
–
12
.500
36
–
22
.621
Mississippi State y
8
–
15
.348
35
–
25
.583
Texas A&M y
8
–
16
.333
32
–
23
.582
No. 8 Georgia y
7
–
17
.292
34
–
23
.596
Auburn y
7
–
17
.292
27
–
24
.529
South Carolina
4
–
20
.167
26
–
26
.500
† – Conference champion ‡ – Tournament champion y – Invited to the NCAA tournament As of June 7, 2021[ 24] Rankings from NFCA/USA Today [ 25]
2021 West Coast Conference softball standings
Conf
Overall
Team
W
L
T
PCT
W
L
T
PCT
BYU † y
11
–
1
–
0
.917
38
–
17
–
0
.691
Loyola Marymount
10
–
5
–
0
.667
22
–
21
–
0
.512
Pacific
4
–
5
–
0
.444
14
–
14
–
1
.500
Saint Mary's
4
–
8
–
0
.333
13
–
24
–
0
.351
San Diego
5
–
10
–
0
.333
13
–
29
–
0
.310
Santa Clara
5
–
10
–
0
.333
8
–
20
–
0
.286
Pacific suspended their season on May 5, 2021
† – Conference champion y – Invited to the NCAA tournament As of May 21, 2021[ 28] Rankings from NFCA
Conference winners and tournaments
Of the 31 Division I athletic conferences that participated in the 2021 season, all of which sponsor softball, 27 normally end their regular seasons with a single-elimination tournament or a double-elimination tournament . The teams in each conference that win their regular-season title are given the number one seed in each tournament. The Ivy League canceled its softball season due to COVID-19 concerns. Four conferences do not normally hold a postseason tournament: the Big West, Mountain West, Pac-12, and West Coast Conference. Two conferences that normally hold tournaments, the Big Ten and Mid-American Conference, did not do so in 2021. The winners of these tournaments, plus the Big Ten, Big West, MAC, Mountain West, Pac-12, and WCC regular-season champions, received automatic invitations to the 2021 NCAA Division I softball tournament .
Conference
Regular Season Winner
Conference Player of the Year
Conference Pitcher of the Year
Conference Coach of the Year
Conference Tournament
Tournament Venue • City
Tournament Winner
America East Conference
UMBC
Courtney Cashman, UMass Lowell [ 30]
Courtney Coppersmith, UMBC[ 30]
Chris Kuhlmeyer, UMBC[ 30]
2021 America East Conference softball tournament
The Diamond at UMBC • Arbutus, MD
UMBC
American Athletic Conference
Wichita State
Sydney McKinney, Wichita State[ 31]
Georgina Corrick , South Florida [ 31]
Wichita State[ 31] [ a]
2021 American Athletic Conference softball tournament
Collins Family Softball Complex • Tulsa, OK
Wichita State
ASUN Conference
North & overall: Liberty South: Florida Gulf Coast
Amber Bishop-Riley, Liberty[ 32]
Emily Kirby, Liberty[ 32]
Dot Richardson , Liberty[ 32]
2021 ASUN softball tournament
Quarterfinals: Campus sites Remainder: Bailey Park • Kennesaw, GA
Liberty
Atlantic 10 Conference
Central & overall: George Washington North: Saint Joseph's
Jenna Cone, George Washington[ 33]
Sierra Lange, George Washington[ 33]
Shane Winkler, George Washington[ 33]
2021 Atlantic 10 Conference softball tournament
SJU Softball Field • Merion Station, PA
George Washington
Atlantic Coast Conference
Clemson
Valerie Cagle , Clemson[ 34]
Keely Rochard, Virginia Tech [ 34]
John Rittman, Clemson[ 34]
2021 Atlantic Coast Conference softball tournament
Ulmer Stadium • Louisville, KY
Duke
Big 12 Conference
Oklahoma
Jocelyn Alo , Oklahoma[ 35]
Carrie Eberle, Oklahoma State [ 35]
Patty Gasso , Oklahoma[ 35]
2021 Big 12 Conference softball tournament
USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium • Oklahoma City, OK
Oklahoma
Big East Conference
DePaul
2021 Big East Conference softball tournament
Burrill Family Field • Storrs, CT
Villanova
Big Sky Conference
Weber State
Lauren Hoe,
Weber State[ 36]
Mariah Ramirez,
Weber State[ 36]
Mary Kay Amicone,
Weber State[ 36]
2021 Big Sky Conference softball tournament
Wildcat Softball Field • Ogden, UT
Portland State
Big South Conference
Campbell
2021 Big South Conference softball tournament
Brinkley Stadium • Boiling Springs, NC
Campbell
Big Ten Conference
Michigan
Lexie Blair, Michigan[ 37]
Alex Storako , Michigan[ 37]
Carol Hutchins , Michigan[ 37]
No tournament, regular season champion earns auto bid
Big West Conference
Long Beach State
No tournament, regular season champion earns auto bid
Colonial Athletic Association
North: Drexel South & overall: James Madison
Linda Rush, Drexel[ 38]
Odicci Alexander , James Madison[ 38]
Loren LaPorte , James Madison[ 38]
2021 Colonial Athletic Association softball tournament
Eagle Field at Veterans Memorial Park • Harrisonburg, VA
James Madison
Conference USA
Charlotte
2021 Conference USA softball tournament
WKU Softball Complex • Bowling Green, KY
Western Kentucky
Horizon League
Youngstown State
2021 Horizon League softball tournament
YSU Softball Field • Youngstown, OH
UIC
Ivy League
did not play in 2021
Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference
Monmouth
2021 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference softball tournament
Quarterfinals: Campus sites Remainder: Demske Sports Complex • Buffalo, NY
Manhattan
Mid-American Conference
Miami (OH)
No tournament, regular season champion earns auto bid
Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference
Northern & overall: Morgan State Southern: North Carolina A&T
2021 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference softball tournament
NSU Softball Field • Norfolk, VA
Morgan State
Missouri Valley Conference
Illinois State
2021 Missouri Valley Conference softball tournament
Cooper Stadium • Evansville, IN
Southern Illinois
Mountain West Conference
Fresno State
No tournament, regular season champion earns auto bid
Northeast Conference
Saint Francis (PA)
2021 Northeast Conference softball tournament
SFU Softball Field • Loretto, PA
Saint Francis (PA)
Ohio Valley Conference
Southeast Missouri
2021 Ohio Valley Conference softball tournament
Choccolocco Park • Oxford, AL
Eastern Kentucky
Pac–12 Conference
UCLA
No tournament, regular season champion earns auto bid
Patriot League
Boston University
2021 Patriot League softball tournament
BU Softball Field • Boston, MA
Boston University
Southeastern Conference
Arkansas & Florida [ b]
Bailey Hemphill , Alabama [ 39]
Montana Fouts , Alabama & Mary Haff, Arkansas[ 39]
Courtney Deifel , Arkansas[ 39]
2021 Southeastern Conference softball tournament
Rhoads Stadium • Tuscaloosa, AL
Alabama
Southern Conference
UNC Greensboro
2021 Southern Conference softball tournament
UNCG Softball Stadium • Greensboro, NC
UNC Greensboro
Southland Conference
Stephen F. Austin
2021 Southland Conference softball tournament
North Oak Park • Hammond, LA
McNeese State
Southwestern Athletic Conference
Eastern: Jackson State Western & overall: Texas Southern
2021 Southwestern Athletic Conference softball tournament
Gulfport Sportsplex • Gulfport, MS
Alabama State
Summit League
South Dakota State
2021 Summit League softball tournament
Tharaldson Park at the Ellig Sports Complex • Fargo, ND
South Dakota State
Sun Belt Conference
Louisiana
2021 Sun Belt Conference softball tournament
Troy Softball Complex • Troy, AL
Louisiana
West Coast Conference
BYU
No tournament, regular season champion earns auto bid
Western Athletic Conference
New Mexico State
2021 Western Athletic Conference softball tournament
Francis F. Logan Field at SU Park • Seattle, WA
Seattle
^ The American's annual coaching award is presented to a coaching staff instead of a head coach, and is styled as the "Coaching Staff of the Year" award.
^ Top seed in conference tournament.
Women's College World Series
First round
Second round
Semifinals
Finals
1
Oklahoma
3
James Madison
4 (8)
James Madison
2
5
Oklahoma State
1
5
Oklahoma State
3
Georgia
2
James Madison
3
1
1
Oklahoma
6
7
1
Oklahoma
8 (6)
Georgia
0
2
UCLA
3
1
Oklahoma
10
1
Oklahoma
4
6
5
10
Florida State
8
2
1
3
Alabama
5
11
Arizona
1
3
Alabama
6
2
UCLA
0
10
Florida State
0
2
UCLA
4
3
Alabama
0
5
10
Florida State
2
8
11
Arizona
3
10
Florida State
4
5
Oklahoma State
2
10
Florida State
4
Season leaders
Batting :
Pitching :
Records
Freshman class RBIs :
92 – Tiare Jennings , Oklahoma Sooners [ 40]
Freshman class slugging percentage :
1.000% – Tiare Jennings , Oklahoma Sooners
Team home runs :
161 – Oklahoma Sooners
Team slugging percentage :
.777% – Oklahoma Sooners
Team runs scored :
638 – Oklahoma Sooners
Team total bases :
1,279 – Oklahoma Sooners
Awards
All America Teams
The following players were members of the All-American Teams.[ 50]
First Team
Second Team
Third Team
See also
References
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^ "Tarleton State University to Join Western Athletic Conference in 2020-21" (Press release). Western Athletic Conference. November 12, 2019. Retrieved March 24, 2021 .
^ "CSU Bakersfield, UC San Diego to Join Big West Conference" (Press release). Big West Conference. November 27, 2017. Retrieved March 24, 2021 .
^ "An Open Letter to the La Salle and Explorer Athletics Community" (Press release). La Salle Explorers. September 29, 2020. Retrieved March 24, 2021 .
^ "WAC Announces Expedited Entrance for Four Texas Institutions" (Press release). Western Athletic Conference. January 21, 2021. Retrieved March 24, 2021 .
^ a b "ASUN Conference Announces Three New Institutions; Adds Football as 20th Sport" (Press release). ASUN Conference. January 29, 2021. Retrieved March 24, 2021 .
^ "SWAC Announces Addition of Bethune-Cookman as Full Member" (Press release). Southwestern Athletic Conference. June 25, 2020. Retrieved March 24, 2021 .
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^ "USA Today/NFCA Division I Top 25 Coaches Poll (Preseason)" . NFCA.org . National Fastpitch Coaches Association. January 26, 2021. Retrieved January 26, 2021 .
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^ "Weekly Release" (PDF) . ESPN. June 15, 2021. Retrieved April 8, 2023 .
^ "National champs Oklahoma unanimous No. 1 in final USA Today/NFCA DI Top 25 Coaches Poll" . NFCA.org . June 15, 2021. Retrieved April 8, 2023 .
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^ a b c "Coppersmith Named Pitcher of Year Again to Headline #AESB Award Winners" (Press release). America East Conference. May 12, 2021. Retrieved June 8, 2021 .
^ a b c "Wichita State's McKinney Named American Player Of The Year; USF's Corrick Earns Third Consecutive Pitcher Of The Year Award" (Press release). American Athletic Conference. May 12, 2021. Retrieved June 8, 2021 .
^ a b c "Liberty's Bishop-Riley and Kirby Highlight 2021 @ASUNSoftball Postseason Honors" (Press release). ASUN Conference. May 18, 2021. Retrieved June 8, 2021 .
^ a b c "Cone, Lange, Miller, Winkler Earn Major A-10 Softball Honors; 22 Players Selected for All-Conference" (Press release). Atlantic 10 Conference. May 13, 2021. Retrieved June 9, 2021 .
^ a b c "ACC Softball Announces 2021 Individual Awards" (Press release). Atlantic Coast Conference. May 11, 2021. Retrieved June 9, 2021 .
^ a b c "2021 All-Big 12 Awards Unveiled" (Press release). Big 12 Conference. May 12, 2021. Retrieved June 8, 2021 .
^ a b c "2024 Softball Media Guide" (PDF) . Big Sky Conference .
^ a b c "Big Ten Announces 2021 Softball Postseason Honors" . BigTen.org . Big Ten Conference. May 19, 2021. Archived from the original on May 19, 2021. Retrieved June 8, 2021 .
^ a b c "JMU Receives Four Top Softball All-Conference Honors; Drexel's Linda Rush Named Player of the Year" (Press release). Colonial Athletic Association. May 11, 2021. Retrieved June 8, 2021 .
^ a b c "2021 SEC Softball Awards Announced" (Press release). Southeastern Conference. May 10, 2021. Retrieved June 9, 2021 .
^ "Division I Softball Records" (PDF) . NCAA.org . Retrieved June 14, 2021 .
^ "Jocelyn Alo named 2021 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year" . teamusa.org . June 1, 2021. Archived from the original on June 2, 2021. Retrieved June 1, 2021 .
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^ "Softball" . CollegiateWomenSportsAwards.com . THE Collegiate Women Sports Awards Program. Retrieved July 8, 2021 .
^ "Softball" . CollegiateWomenSportsAwards.com . THE Collegiate Women Sports Awards Program. Retrieved June 11, 2021 .
^ "UCLA'S GARCIA, ALABAMA'S FOUTS GARNER SCHUTT SPORTS / NFCA DI POSTSEASON HONORS" . Nfca.org . NFCA. Retrieved June 14, 2021 .
^ "2021 NCAA Pitcher Of The Year: Odicci Alexander" . softballamerica.com . June 14, 2021. Retrieved June 14, 2021 .
^ "Oklahoma's Tiare Jennings named 2021 NFCA / Schutt Sports Division I National Freshman of the Year" . nfca.org . June 1, 2021. Retrieved June 1, 2021 .
^ "2021 NCAA Freshman Of The Year: Tiare Jennings" . softballamerica.com . June 15, 2021. Retrieved June 21, 2021 .
^ "2021 NCAA Defensive Player Of The Year: Sis Bates" . softballamerica.com . June 16, 2021. Retrieved June 21, 2023 .
^ "2021 NFCA Division I All-America Teams" . Nfca.org. Retrieved June 14, 2021 .